summary Which comes first, the story or the pictures? Most of the time, the story comes first. Source: Time Together: RIF Family of Readers CATEGORIES: Ideas for Every Season, Reading AGES: 1-2 3-5 6-8 MATERIALS: Minimal

summary Here's a new savings plan for your children: The children savor a new word every day, then save it in a personal bank. Day after day, they draw on these savings for reading fun and reinforcement. Source: The RIF Guide

summary During the gift-giving holidays, many people give their time collecting for charities. Children may want to hold their own fund-raiser—a read-a-thon. Source: The RIF Guide to Encouraging Young Readers CATEGORIES:

summary Like reading, writing can become a natural part of your family's everyday activities. Your regular household activities are great for putting children's writing skills to good use. Source: Reading Is Fundamental CATEGORIES:

summary Have your kids write their own excuse notes from school? Source: Reading Is Fundamental CATEGORIES: Writing AGES: 3-5 6-8 9-12 teen MATERIALS: Minimal TYPE: Indoor TIME OF DAY: Play Although you will still have to

summary Form a partnership with your beginning reader and spend fifteen to twenty minutes a day reading with the child, but not to the child. (This is what makes you a reading partner rather than a story reader.) Source:

summary Browse a cookbook with your child. Pick out a recipe, and read through the intstructions. Make that recipe together. Source: Reading Is Fundamental CATEGORIES: Family Time, Math, Rainy Day Fun, Reading AGES: 9-12